As I have previously discussed, the Supreme Court is
considering reversing its earlier ruling that a discriminatory Civil Code
provision is constitutional.

The law provides that children born out of wedlock are
entitled to only half of the inheritance given to legitimate children. The Supreme Court previously ruled in 1995
that this provision does not unreasonably discriminate, because it respects
legitimate children while still protecting illegitimate children. However, 5 of the 15 Grand Bench justices
opposed this 1995 decision.

The Supreme Court “is expected to make a final decision,
possibly by autumn, to interpret the Civil Code provision as running counter to
the Constitution, which guarantees equality for all under the law.”